Track gauging device



I Dec. 18, 1934. J, H. McFADDEN TRACK GAUGTNG DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 29,

IN! EN TOR. JOHN H. Mc HIDDEN ATTORNEY.

Dec. 18, 1934. J. H. M FADDEN TRACK GAUGING DEVI CE Filed Jan. 29, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 NM 3 @w/ wwn QM, Q I L hH INVENTOR. Joy/v McfiwM/v ATTORNEY.

the like.

Patented Dec. 18, 1934 PATENT OFFICE TRACK, GAUGIN G nnvron' John H. McFadden, Lincoln, Ncbr. Application January 29, 1934, Serial No. 708,752

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in track gauging devices and more particularly to an improved and simplified device for gauging and correcting the gauge of railway tracks and An object of the present invention is to provide an improved track gauging device which may be operated with equal facility by one man or by several men.

Another object is to provide a track gauging tool which. requires a minimum effort on the part of an operator in gaugingor correcting the gauge of track rails, and which requires less time for its application in accurately and properly gauging tracks than is required by corresponding. devices: presently employed. for this purpose.

A further object is attained in the provision of a simple: and easily operated device for correcting the gauge of railway or other tracks, whereby the gauging of tracks may be effected with a smaller number of rail spikes required to be removed than is necessary with gauging devices presently in use; hence, during the use of l the gauging device, the tracks may .be' maintained in condition for the passage of trains.

A further object is attained in the provision of an improved trackgauging tool, the operation of which does not damage the rail spikes in adjoining ties, and permits the spikes to be driven perpendicularly into. the ties throughout the track assembly, thus obviating the necessity for the heeling in of the spikes as presently practiced.

Yet another object lies in the provision, in connection with a device of the character described, of improved means which enable the device to be quickly and readily removed from the rails.

Other objects: and advantages will appear from. the following description of the gauging device, and from the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an assembly elevation of the gauging tool as applied to track. rails, the tool being ililustrated in position to: draw the rails inwardly toward each: other; Fig. 2 is an assembly eleva-- tien of the gauging toolin operative position to spread the rails? Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of the gauging tool, as' taken along lined-3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevation of a track engaging portion of the tool, as viewed from line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is" an enlargedsectional elevation of the device, as taken aIong line 5-5 in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional elevation as taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a portion of the device, as taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 1, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional elevation of one end of the tool, as viewed from line 8-8 5 in Fig. l.

Referring nowto the drawings by numerals of reference, 10 denotes, generally, a preferred form of track gauging device embodying the improvements of the present invention, the device 10 or tool being illustrated, in Figs. 1 and 2', in different operating positions on parallel track rails 11 and 12. The tool is comprised of a hollow'tubuIar, or barrel member 14, open at its ends 15 and 16. 'The barrel member may be formed of steel or any other suitable material possessing the required rigidity and strength necessary in a spacing tool for gauging the relatively heavy rails presently employed in forming the track systems of railroads. A rail engaging claw or clamp 18 is secured to the end 15 of the barrel member 14 preferably in the manner shown. in Figs. 1 andv 8, the clamp being provided with. a tubular extension 19 which is seated within the end. portion 15'. of the barrel. The barrel and. extension 19 are each diametrally apertured as at 20 and 22 respectively, to receive a locking,'or cotter pin 23 for maintaining the claw 18- in assembly on the barrel. A second claw or clamp 24is securedto the barrel 14, adjacent the end portion-15, and spaced inwardly from the clamp 18. The claw 24 is preferably welded to the external cylindrical surfaceof the barrel member '14, and is disposed at a right angle to the c1awl8 for. a purpose which will presently appear.

A movable rail clamping head orlug 26 is disposed adjacent the opposite end 16- of the barrel member 14. and is provided with a hollow tubular extension 27 adapted to slide within the barrel end portion 16-. As shown in Fig 4, the lug is substantially a square block for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. The lug and extension may be formed integrally, or. the lug may be secured by any suitable means to the end of the extension; as desired. The extension member 27 is provided'with a longitudinal slot or groove 28 in a wall portion: to receive the inner end of. a set screw 30 secured a bossedwall portion 31 of the barrel member 14,. the screw being provided tolimit the sliding movement of the extension member and; to maintain the members in assembly. The: set screw engaging the slotted portion. 2.8 of the extension. member also preventsi any axial rotation. of the extension within 2 the barrel member. Slidably disposed within the barrel member 14 adjacent the inner end of the extension 27, is a hollow member or dog 32 internally threaded near one end to receive the threaded end 34 of a jack screw 35. The sliding movement of the dog 32 is limited preferably by a set screw 36 secured in a bossed wall portion of the barrel member and extending into a longitudinal slot 38 in a surface portion of the dog. Moreover, the set screw, effectively prevents any axial rotation of-the dog, a condition which is obviously necessary for the successful operation of the jack screw, as will hereinafter appear. 1..

During the normal operation of -the track gauging device, the dog 32 is maintained infi'xed relation with respect to the barrel member i-Hby an improved locking device40. The locking device is arranged to be quickly "released from its engagement with the dog 32, as might; be neces-i;

sary in an emergency, to provide for a quick removal of the gauging tool from the track rails. Referring particularly to Figs. 3, 5 and 6, the barrel member 14 is provided with an integrally formed bearing lug 41- adjacent the set screw 36. A circular bearing groove-42 is formed through the lug and transversely of the longitudinal axis of the barrel member, this grooved portion opening inwardly of the barrel as at 44. A complementary or mating groove45 is formed in a portion of the dog 32 substantially intermediate its ends, the two grooves 42 and 45 forming a cylindrical bearing seat for a locking pin 46. The head end 48 of the pin is provided with an operating handle 49 for a purpose which will presently appear. The pin is maintained in assembly position by any suitable means, such as the cotter pin .50. An arcuate groove 52 is formed in a central portion of the pin,- as.is

clearly shown in the drawings, the'groove being provided for releasing the dog, as will presently appear. With the operatinghandle 49 in the position illustrated in solid lines in.Fig. 3, the dog 32 will be locked against "longitudinal sliding movement. In this position .of the pin handle, the portion of the pin 46 opposite'the pin groove 52 will be disposed in-the groovedportion .45 of the dog 32, thereby locking thedog against sliding movement within the barrel. To release the dog, the handle 49 is manually actuated to the position shown in dottedlines', Fig. 3, which rotates the pin 46 grees to bring the pin groove 52 o'ppositethe grooved portion45 in the dog.- In this position, the pin is entirely'disengaged from the dog, by reason of the pin groove 52. The dog is now free to be slidably moved along the barrel member 14 for quick removal of the gauging tool from the track rails. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate in detail, the relation between the locking pin 46, the dog 32, and the bearing lug 41 on the tubular member, when the handle 49 has been actuated to the pin locking position illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 3. i r V The shank portion 53' of the jack'screw 35 is journalled in, and extends through the extension member 27, the outer end 54 of the shank portion being provided with an operating handle 56. An external shoulder 57 preferably formed integrally with the end portion 54 of the jack screw and spaced inwardly from the operating handle 56, is provided to engage the rail clamping lug 26. --Threaded1y engaging the jack screw adjacent the inner end of the lug extension 27, is an adjustable lock nut 58 which is adapted to maintain the extension "memberzbetween the through substantially. 180 de-,

lock nut and shoulder 57 without binding the the track gauge desired to be obtained, is arranged parallel to the barrel member 14 and is slidably secured thereto by spaced rings 61 and '62,.the ring 61 engaging the barrel near the barrel end 16 and the ring 62 engaging the barrel member near the opposite end portion 15. As

illustrated in Fig. 7, the gauge rod and rings may be secured together by welding, as at 64. A ring stop member 65 for limiting the inward sliding movement of the ring 62, is arranged ina predetermined position on the barrel member 14 for a purpose presently appearing. The stop 65 may be welded to the barrel, or secured in any other suitable manner, as desired.

Proceeding now to the operation of the track gauging device, the dog 32 is locked against sliding movement by disposing the handle 49 in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Now, if it is desired to draw the track rails 11 and 12 in.- wardly, the gauging device is disposed in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, in which position the clampinghead 18 engages an outer side of the rail 11 and the clamping lug 26 engages an outer side portion of the rail 12. Thegaugerod is then moved so that one end abuts the inner side of one of the rails, for'examp1e,.the left handend of the rod against the inner side of rail 11. Now the jack screw is rotated, by means of the operating handle 56, to draw the rails inwardly until the right hand end of the gauge rod' abuts the inner end ofrail 12. The rails will then be properly gauged. i

If it be desired to spread the rails to gauge, the device is disposed on the rails 11 and 12 in the position illustrated in Fig. 2. It will be observed that the rail spreading position of the gauging tool is effected simply by giving the assembled device a right angle axial turn from the position of the device illustrated in Fig. 1. Hence, the clamping lug 26 is desirably formed as shown in Fig. 4 so that it may engage the trackrail in either rail drawing, or rail spreading position of the gauging tool. In the spreading position of "the device, the clamping, head 24 is utilized and is disposed to abut the inner side of therail 11. The movable clamping lug 26 is then dis posed to abut the inner side of the rail 12.1 To effect the proper'track gauge, the right hand end of the gauge rod 60 is disposed .to abut the lug 26 and the jack screw actuated to spreadthe rails '11 and '12 until the gauge, rodsupporting ring 62 abuts the ring stop 65. The proper gauge being thus effected, the rails may be then secured orspiked. The position of thejstop on the barrel 14 is predetermined so that in the rail spreading operation of the gauging device, the, proper gauge is obtained with the right hand end of the gauge rod 60 against the lug 26 and the gauge rod supporting ring 62 abutting the stop In an emergency, or when it is desired to re:- movethe gauging device from'the railsquickly, thehandle 49 of the locking device40 is actu ated to its unlocking position as hereinbefore described. The clamping action of the jack screw and clamps on the rails is thereby released and the gauging device may be removed quickly and easily. This emergency release of the jack screw requires less time to effect than is required to loosen the jack screw by the handle 56.

The present improved track gauging device provides a simple and efiective tool for setting and correcting the gauge of railroad tracks, and one which may be satisfactorily operated by a single person. The device is particularly adapted for use when it is desired to correct the gauge of tracks and yet maintain the tracks in condition for the passage of trains during the track gauging operation. The above condition of operation is readily attainable, since for an effective and proper operation of the presently improved gauging device, only a small number of rail spikes need be removed. In addition, the device may be effectively employed in the gauging of parallel bars and rails other than the track rails of railroads.

It is to be understood, of course, that the present description refers only to a single embodiment of the invention, and that alterations and modifications may be effected in the device without departing from the spirit and full intended scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A track gauge comprising a tubular member having a fixed rail clamp near one end and a movable rail clamp near the opposite end, said movable clamp having an extension slidably disposed within the tubular member, means for controlling the operation of said movable clamp, said means extending within said tubular member and journalled in said extension, and means operable externally of the tubular member for rendering the control means ineffective.

2. A track gauge comprising a tubular member having a fixed rail clamp near one end and a movable rail clamp near the opposite end, means carried by said tubular member and engaging said movable clamp for controlling the operation of the clamp, and means on said tubular member for rendering said control means inoperative.

3. A track gauge comprising a tubular member having a fixed rail clamp near one end and a movable rail clamp slidably secured to the opposite end, a threaded element slidably mounted within said tubular member, means for locking said element against sliding movement, a jackscrew engaging said threaded element and operable to slide said movable rail clamp, and a manually actuated member for releasing said locking means to render the gauge inoperative.

4. A track gauge comprising a tubular member having a fixed rail clamp on one end and a movable rail clamp on the opposite end, a

threaded member slidably mounted within said tubular member, releasable locking means for said threaded member, a jack-screw engaging said threaded member for controlling the operation of said movable rail clamp, and a gauge rod arranged along and slidably engaging said tubular member.

5. A track gauge comprising a tubular member having a fixed rail clamp near one end and a movable rail clamp near the opposite end, said movable rail clamp being provided with an extension member slidably mounted within the end portion of the tubular member, a threaded element within said tubular member, a jack-screw journalled in said extension member and engaging said threaded element, means on said jackscrew engaging said extension member and associated rail clamp for actuating the clamp with the operation of said jack-screw, and a gauge rod arranged along and slidably mounted upon said tubular member.

6. A track gauge comprising a tubular member having a fixed rail clamp near one end and a movable rail clamp near the opposite end, said movable clamp being provided with an extension member slidably mounted within the end portion of the tubular member, a threaded element within said tubular member, a jackscrew journalled in said extension member and engaging said threaded element, means on said jack-screw engaging said extension member and associated rail clamp for actuating the clamp with the operation of the jack-screw, a gauge rod arranged along and slidably supported by the tubular member, and means operable upon said threaded element for rendering the track gauge inoperative.

7. A track gauge comprising a tubular member having a fixed rail clamp near one end and a movable rail clamp near the opposite end, said movable clamp being provided with an extension member slidably mounted Within the end portion of the tubular member, a threaded element slidably secured within said tubular member and having a transverse groove in a surface portion thereof, a mating groove formed in a portion of the tubular member, a grooved lock pin seated in said mating grooves, an operating member for said pin, said pin being operable to lock said threaded member in a predetermined fixed position, or to release said element to render the track gauge inoperative; a jack-screw journalled in said extension member and engaging said threaded element, means on said jack-screw engaging said extension member and associated rail clamp for actuating the clamp with the operation of the jack-screw, a gauge rod arranged along and slidably supported by the tubular member, and a stop element on said tubular member for limiting the sliding movement of said gauge rod.

JOHN H. McFADDEN. 

